Day 118: rainy day

It didn't actually rain today but it was still so windy and cloudy that Sam kept telling me all day that it was going to rain.  When better than to do rainy day themed activities?

We got a non-fiction rain book, The Rainy Day by Anna Milbourne and Sarah Gill, from the library on our most recent trip (it's as if I knew there might be rain coming soon!).  Sam and Avery are really enjoying this book.  I think they like it most because I have created actions that go with some of the text and Sam gets to tap her fingers and then pound her hands to mimic the sounds of rain. 

While we were reading this book today I remembered an activity that we use to do with summer camp kids at night to mimic a rain storm.  So I tried it out with Sam, and Avery watched.  Sam struggled at first to change motions and follow directions when I told her to but she still really enjoyed it.  We progressed slowly through the following motions.

1. rubbing hands together
2. lightly tapping fingers together (we also tried tapping fingers on a book)
3. clapping three fingers together
4. clapping hands together softly
5. clapping hands together loudly
6. slapping hands on legs
7. stomping feet
8. slapping hands on legs
9. clapping hands together loudly
10. clapping hands together softly
11. clapping three fingers together
12. lightly tapping fingers together
13. rubbing hands together

Sam and I talked about how the storm started out small, grew bigger and rained harder and then slowed back down again.  She really enjoyed the motions that she got to do and Avery just laughed and laughed.  She isn't quite clapping just yet but I think when she starts clapping this will be really fun for the two of them.

We ended the day with a rain related craft; we made a rain stick. 

Here are our supplies, not including the beans and split peas that we put inside.

First we used the aluminum foil to cover the end (thought the would make an interesting sound). Then Sam helped me stick nails in on all sides of the tube and at random intervals.

We then put in a small handful of beans and split peas, taped around the whole thing and covered the other end. 

What craft would be complete without some paint. 

Sam doesn't really get that it is suppose to sound like rain but she thinks it is an amazing noise maker.  Anything that is loud is a hit at this house.

All in all a good rainy day...even though we didn't actually have a drop of rain!

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The Nitty Gritty!

Little ones do great with themes that connect different activities that they do.  We had a great themed day with three different activities all involving rain.  This just helps little minds really understand and remember the concept.  It is all about tapping into different styles and modes of learning. 

When teaching your child do you find it is easy to follow themes? Do you try and do more than one activity, book or song that deals with a concept?  I would love to hear how other moms use themes and mixing up of teaching styles when they are working with their children!

Comments

[amber]

ooo...we might have to try this. things that make noise are always a hit here too. Love this, what a great rainy day activity. I'm going to start stock piling your activities for when we are trapped in the house this winter! :)

[sarah@theunwrapping]

excellent craft. and i actually have all the supplies on hand! score! :)

[jodie]

i'm so glad we changed the banner! it really does look a lot cleaner... sorry my first one sucked a big one! :)

[Shana Putnam]

Thank you so much for stopping in from Twitter! Great to meet new moms! I love the activities you did on rain, so cool. I will be reading around more to pick up some tips.

[Janet]

I love the "making rain" activity and remember it from camp. I've been away all week, so I'm catching up. Your new header is super cute!